Sunday, December 30, 2007
My Favorite Christmas Gift....this year
I have been wanting to do Digital Scrapbooking since everything else in this world is digital. I got Memory Mixer for Christmas. I have been having so much fun! Here are a few of the pages I have done.
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Why did she look at me that way?
I was at Chili's picking up some lunch. There was a line of people waiting to buy gift cards. They have this special where if you buy a $25 gift card they give a bonus $5 card. There is NO ADVERTISING for this, you have to ask for it. Anyway, the lady in line ahead of me asks for a $20 gift card. The server doesn't even tell her about the deal. You would think that they should be trying to upsell. I tol the lady, "You should get a $25 gift card so you can get the extra $5 card." The server girl gave me a dirty look, like I had just stepped on her cat! Why did she look at me that way? It's not like I made extra work for her or anything - I just helped someone out and help Chili's make a few extra bucks, since the $5 bonus card can't be used at the same time the $25 gift card is used.
Why did she look at me that way?
Why did she look at me that way?
Friday, December 21, 2007
Oranges are great, but how do you scan them?
This article was in the Ogden Standard Examiner. I THINK I HAVE BEEN TO THIS STORE!!
Oranges are great, but how do you scan them?
I’m in the grocery store. It’s late, I’m tired, and I need just a couple of things. So I scramble through the nearly empty store, grab the items I’m after, which include a sheet cake, and head to the checkout stand.
Strange. There’s no one there. Not a customer, and not a checker. Just me. I wander up and down, peering around, wondering if it’s shoplifting if you lay some money on the counter and just walk out with your stuff.
Finally a checker emerges from somewhere and silently points at the self-checkout stand. Noticing my dismay, she speaks, “You can check yourself out there.” She then parks herself at the station near the self-checkout stands in a stance that clearly states, “If you want that stuff, you’re going to have to get it yourself.”
I am not a fan of do-it-yourself checking. I figure that the prices I pay for groceries ought to cover someone checking them out for me, bagging them, carrying them out to my car, and staying long enough to wash my car and give it a good waxing.
No waxing tonight. Not even checking. So I glumly approach the scanit-yourself stand, arms loaded. I get one finger loose to punch the “Begin” button on the screen. A perfect female voice (just curious — why is it always female?) says, “Welcome” which I don’t believe because if I really was welcome, I wouldn’t be checking out my own stuff.
Anyway, “Welcome. If you have a Values Preferred Fresh card, scan it now.” The Voice is talking about a card that supposedly earns shoppers discounts on store merchandise, which has been marked up in anticipation of at least some shoppers using their card, and too bad for the rest of the folks who shop there.
In my scramble to find that card in my wallet, I set the sheet cake down on the scanning table. The Voice says, “Please remove all items from the scanner, and scan your Values Preferred Fresh card.” Balancing the cake, I use one hand and my teeth to extract the card from my wallet. I scan the card, and the Voice instructs, “Please scan your first item.”
I scan it, then hear, “Place the item in the bag.” I mechanically follow this instruction for each item, until I get to the oranges. How do I scan an orange? I think I’m supposed to punch in some numbers, but what numbers? I look around for Miss Checker, but she’s abandoned her post and is now at a regular check-out stand, smiling and chatting with three young men while she checks and bags their cartload of groceries.
I see.
I decide I don’t want the oranges any more. I look around for a place to put them that is not a scanning table. I find a new use for magazine display racks.
My final item is the sheet cake, which I scan. The Voice instructs, “Place the item in the bag.” I ignore that statement, since a sheet cake is not meant to be placed in a bag. Miss Voice gets testy with me. “Place the item in the bag,” she repeats, several times. I finally lean on the bagging counter hoping that might help. She responds, “Remove the item from the bag and scan it.”
I ignore her and punch the “Finished” button. She counters, “Select method of payment.” I punch “Personal Check.” She instructs, “Please write check as shown.” I study the picture. Apparently someone named John Smith will pay for my groceries if I write my check “as shown.” Going with my gut feeling, I sign my own name. And then, since Miss Checker is still busy socializing, I lay my check on her station and leave.
I think of the mounds of ads I get from this store, and countless others. I have a suggestion. If you really want my patronage, then when I walk into your store, be there for me. Don’t run when you see me coming. Talk to me. Smile at me. Act like you’re glad I’m there. Help me find things. Check my stuff out for me when I’m ready to leave.
And don’t ever ask me to scan an orange.
D. Louise Brown
Oranges are great, but how do you scan them?
I’m in the grocery store. It’s late, I’m tired, and I need just a couple of things. So I scramble through the nearly empty store, grab the items I’m after, which include a sheet cake, and head to the checkout stand.
Strange. There’s no one there. Not a customer, and not a checker. Just me. I wander up and down, peering around, wondering if it’s shoplifting if you lay some money on the counter and just walk out with your stuff.
Finally a checker emerges from somewhere and silently points at the self-checkout stand. Noticing my dismay, she speaks, “You can check yourself out there.” She then parks herself at the station near the self-checkout stands in a stance that clearly states, “If you want that stuff, you’re going to have to get it yourself.”
I am not a fan of do-it-yourself checking. I figure that the prices I pay for groceries ought to cover someone checking them out for me, bagging them, carrying them out to my car, and staying long enough to wash my car and give it a good waxing.
No waxing tonight. Not even checking. So I glumly approach the scanit-yourself stand, arms loaded. I get one finger loose to punch the “Begin” button on the screen. A perfect female voice (just curious — why is it always female?) says, “Welcome” which I don’t believe because if I really was welcome, I wouldn’t be checking out my own stuff.
Anyway, “Welcome. If you have a Values Preferred Fresh card, scan it now.” The Voice is talking about a card that supposedly earns shoppers discounts on store merchandise, which has been marked up in anticipation of at least some shoppers using their card, and too bad for the rest of the folks who shop there.
In my scramble to find that card in my wallet, I set the sheet cake down on the scanning table. The Voice says, “Please remove all items from the scanner, and scan your Values Preferred Fresh card.” Balancing the cake, I use one hand and my teeth to extract the card from my wallet. I scan the card, and the Voice instructs, “Please scan your first item.”
I scan it, then hear, “Place the item in the bag.” I mechanically follow this instruction for each item, until I get to the oranges. How do I scan an orange? I think I’m supposed to punch in some numbers, but what numbers? I look around for Miss Checker, but she’s abandoned her post and is now at a regular check-out stand, smiling and chatting with three young men while she checks and bags their cartload of groceries.
I see.
I decide I don’t want the oranges any more. I look around for a place to put them that is not a scanning table. I find a new use for magazine display racks.
My final item is the sheet cake, which I scan. The Voice instructs, “Place the item in the bag.” I ignore that statement, since a sheet cake is not meant to be placed in a bag. Miss Voice gets testy with me. “Place the item in the bag,” she repeats, several times. I finally lean on the bagging counter hoping that might help. She responds, “Remove the item from the bag and scan it.”
I ignore her and punch the “Finished” button. She counters, “Select method of payment.” I punch “Personal Check.” She instructs, “Please write check as shown.” I study the picture. Apparently someone named John Smith will pay for my groceries if I write my check “as shown.” Going with my gut feeling, I sign my own name. And then, since Miss Checker is still busy socializing, I lay my check on her station and leave.
I think of the mounds of ads I get from this store, and countless others. I have a suggestion. If you really want my patronage, then when I walk into your store, be there for me. Don’t run when you see me coming. Talk to me. Smile at me. Act like you’re glad I’m there. Help me find things. Check my stuff out for me when I’m ready to leave.
And don’t ever ask me to scan an orange.
D. Louise Brown
Remember those who are fighting for our freedom this Christmas!
I borrowed this story from one on my friends at PYP!
'Twas The Night Before Christmas, He Lived All Alone, In A One Bedroom House Made Of Plaster And Stone. I Had Come Down The Chimney With Presents To Give, And To See Just Who In This Home Did Live. I Looked All About, A Strange Sight I Did See, No Tinsel, No Presents, Not Even A Tree. No Stocking By Mantle, Just Boots Filled With Sand, On The Wall Hung Pictures Of Far Distant Lands. With Medals And Badges, Awards Of All Kinds, A Sober Thought Came Through My Mind. For This House Was Different, It Was Dark And Dreary, I Found The Home Of A Soldier, Once I Could See Clearly.
The Soldier Lay Sleeping, Silent, Alone, Curled Up On The Floor In This One Bedroom Home. The Face Was So Gentle, The Room In Such Disorder, Not How I Pictured A United States Soldier. Was This The Hero Of Whom I'd Just Read? Curled Up On A Poncho, The Floor For A Bed?
I Realized The Families That I Saw This Night, Owed Their Lives To These Soldiers Who Were Willing To Fight. Soon Round The World, The Children Would Play, And Grownups Would Celebrate A Bright Christmas Day. They All Enjoyed Freedom Each Month Of The Year, Because Of The Soldiers, Like The One Lying Here. I Couldn't Help But Wonder How Many Lay Alone, On A Cold Christmas Eve In A Land Far From Home. The Very Thought Brought A Tear To My Eye, I Dropped To My Knees And Started To Cry.
The Soldier Awakened And I Heard A Rough Voice, "Santa Don't Cry, This Life Is My Choice; I Fight For Freedom, I Don't Ask For More, My Life Is My God, My Country, My Corps." The Soldier Rolled Over And Drifted To Sleep, I Couldn't Control It, I Continued To Weep.
I Kept Watch For Hours, So Silent And Still And We Both Shivered From The Cold Night's Chill. I Didn't Want To Leave On That Cold, Dark, Night, This Guardian Of Honor So Willing To Fight.
Then The Soldier Rolled Over, With A Voice Soft And Pure, Whispered, "Carry On Santa, It's Christmas Day, All Is Secure." One Look At My Watch, And I Knew He Was Right. "Merry Christmas My Friend, And To All A Good Night."
'Twas The Night Before Christmas, He Lived All Alone, In A One Bedroom House Made Of Plaster And Stone. I Had Come Down The Chimney With Presents To Give, And To See Just Who In This Home Did Live. I Looked All About, A Strange Sight I Did See, No Tinsel, No Presents, Not Even A Tree. No Stocking By Mantle, Just Boots Filled With Sand, On The Wall Hung Pictures Of Far Distant Lands. With Medals And Badges, Awards Of All Kinds, A Sober Thought Came Through My Mind. For This House Was Different, It Was Dark And Dreary, I Found The Home Of A Soldier, Once I Could See Clearly.
The Soldier Lay Sleeping, Silent, Alone, Curled Up On The Floor In This One Bedroom Home. The Face Was So Gentle, The Room In Such Disorder, Not How I Pictured A United States Soldier. Was This The Hero Of Whom I'd Just Read? Curled Up On A Poncho, The Floor For A Bed?
I Realized The Families That I Saw This Night, Owed Their Lives To These Soldiers Who Were Willing To Fight. Soon Round The World, The Children Would Play, And Grownups Would Celebrate A Bright Christmas Day. They All Enjoyed Freedom Each Month Of The Year, Because Of The Soldiers, Like The One Lying Here. I Couldn't Help But Wonder How Many Lay Alone, On A Cold Christmas Eve In A Land Far From Home. The Very Thought Brought A Tear To My Eye, I Dropped To My Knees And Started To Cry.
The Soldier Awakened And I Heard A Rough Voice, "Santa Don't Cry, This Life Is My Choice; I Fight For Freedom, I Don't Ask For More, My Life Is My God, My Country, My Corps." The Soldier Rolled Over And Drifted To Sleep, I Couldn't Control It, I Continued To Weep.
I Kept Watch For Hours, So Silent And Still And We Both Shivered From The Cold Night's Chill. I Didn't Want To Leave On That Cold, Dark, Night, This Guardian Of Honor So Willing To Fight.
Then The Soldier Rolled Over, With A Voice Soft And Pure, Whispered, "Carry On Santa, It's Christmas Day, All Is Secure." One Look At My Watch, And I Knew He Was Right. "Merry Christmas My Friend, And To All A Good Night."
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Cool Christmas Lights
I love Christmas light displays that are set to music. This one is by far the best! They are the Holman Family, from Pleasant Grove, Utah. THEY WON THE KFC CONTEST!
Click here to see this amazing show!!
Click here to see this amazing show!!
Are you ready for Christmas?
I finally have my shopping all taken care of. I have one more thing to pick up for my sister and then I am done! I HOPE! Unless we decide to get sleds for the kids. I have been wrapping a few gifts here and there. I want to get as much done as possible so I don't have to stay up too late on Christmas Eve. Since this is the first year that Micayla really "gets" Christmas, we are having lots of fun. We decided to give Santa lots of credit, since kids only believe for so long. We are only giving the kids one gift and then Santa is giving them the rest.
We have also made an effort to share with others this Christmas. A few years ago, when we were dealing with big medical bills, someone helped us out at Christmas. This year we have made sure to put money in the Salvation Army Buckets, we have generously donated to the food bank and the local animal shelter, and we are participating in a Sub-For-Santa.
Please remember those less fortunate this year. No child should have to go without a good meal and a few gifts from Santa.
We have also made an effort to share with others this Christmas. A few years ago, when we were dealing with big medical bills, someone helped us out at Christmas. This year we have made sure to put money in the Salvation Army Buckets, we have generously donated to the food bank and the local animal shelter, and we are participating in a Sub-For-Santa.
Please remember those less fortunate this year. No child should have to go without a good meal and a few gifts from Santa.
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Friday, December 14, 2007
This is a cute "Letter to Santa" that I found on PYP.
Dear Santa,
I've been a good mom all year. I've fed, cleaned and cuddled my children on demand, visited the doctor's office more than my doctor, sold sixty-two cases of candy bars to raise money to plant a shade tree on the school playground. I was hoping you could spread my list out over several Christmases, since I had to write this letter with my son's red crayon, on the back of a receipt in the laundry room between cycles, and who knows when I'll find anymore free time in the next 18 years.
Here are my Christmas wishes:
I'd like a pair of legs that don't ache (in any color, except purple, which I already have) and arms that don't hurt or flap in the breeze; but are strong enough to pull my screaming child out of the candy aisle in the grocery store.
If you're hauling big ticket items this year I'd like fingerprint resistant windows and a radio that only plays adult music; a television that doesn't broadcast any programs containing talking animals; and a refrigerator with a secret compartment behind the crisper where I can hide to talk on the phone.
On the practical side, I could use a talking doll that says, "Yes, Mommy" to boost my parental confidence, along with two kids who don't fight and three pairs of jeans that will zip all the way up without the use of power tools.
I could also use a recording of Tibetan monks chanting "Don't eat in the living room" and "Take your hands off your brother," because my voice seems to be just out of my children's hearing range and can only be heard by the dog.
If it's too late to find any of these products, I'd settle for enough time to brush my teeth and comb my hair in the same morning, or the luxury of eating food warmer than room temperature without it being served in a Styrofoam container.
If you don't mind, I could also use a few Christmas miracles to brighten the holiday season. Would it be too much trouble to declare ketchup a vegetable? It will clear my conscience immensely.
It would be helpful if you could coerce my children to help around the house without demanding payment as if they were the bosses of an organized crime family.
Well, Santa, the buzzer on the dryer is ringing and my son saw my feet under the laundry room door. I think he wants his crayon back.Have a safe trip and remember to leave your wet boots by the door and come in and dry off so you don't catch cold.
Help yourself to cookies on the table but don't eat too many or leave crumbs on the carpet.
Yours Always, MOM...!
P.S. One more thing...you can cancel all my requests if you can keep my children young enough to believe in Santa.
I've been a good mom all year. I've fed, cleaned and cuddled my children on demand, visited the doctor's office more than my doctor, sold sixty-two cases of candy bars to raise money to plant a shade tree on the school playground. I was hoping you could spread my list out over several Christmases, since I had to write this letter with my son's red crayon, on the back of a receipt in the laundry room between cycles, and who knows when I'll find anymore free time in the next 18 years.
Here are my Christmas wishes:
I'd like a pair of legs that don't ache (in any color, except purple, which I already have) and arms that don't hurt or flap in the breeze; but are strong enough to pull my screaming child out of the candy aisle in the grocery store.
If you're hauling big ticket items this year I'd like fingerprint resistant windows and a radio that only plays adult music; a television that doesn't broadcast any programs containing talking animals; and a refrigerator with a secret compartment behind the crisper where I can hide to talk on the phone.
On the practical side, I could use a talking doll that says, "Yes, Mommy" to boost my parental confidence, along with two kids who don't fight and three pairs of jeans that will zip all the way up without the use of power tools.
I could also use a recording of Tibetan monks chanting "Don't eat in the living room" and "Take your hands off your brother," because my voice seems to be just out of my children's hearing range and can only be heard by the dog.
If it's too late to find any of these products, I'd settle for enough time to brush my teeth and comb my hair in the same morning, or the luxury of eating food warmer than room temperature without it being served in a Styrofoam container.
If you don't mind, I could also use a few Christmas miracles to brighten the holiday season. Would it be too much trouble to declare ketchup a vegetable? It will clear my conscience immensely.
It would be helpful if you could coerce my children to help around the house without demanding payment as if they were the bosses of an organized crime family.
Well, Santa, the buzzer on the dryer is ringing and my son saw my feet under the laundry room door. I think he wants his crayon back.Have a safe trip and remember to leave your wet boots by the door and come in and dry off so you don't catch cold.
Help yourself to cookies on the table but don't eat too many or leave crumbs on the carpet.
Yours Always, MOM...!
P.S. One more thing...you can cancel all my requests if you can keep my children young enough to believe in Santa.
Diapered kids in swimming pools.
In the summer you know we have that back sickness going around that they were saying came from kids in swimming pools. Now there is talk that they might outlaw allowing kids wearing swimming diapers to be in the pools. My kids love to swim! And since Caleb has absolutely no interest in potty training..... I guess he'll go swimming without a diaper! I know that sounds gross - but do you think swimming diapers work anyway? Sure they hold poop but there is no way that they hold pee while you are swimming.
Are you worried about lead poisoning?
I have to admit that I am not totally concerned about lead. I don't think any of my kids toys were affected. I did get a cute little wooden igloo full of little wooden penguins for Micayla's birthday - but the paint was rough and it was "Made in China" so I threw that away. My dinnerware is Corelle and they have said there are not problems there. I have heard that some crockpot stones contain high levels of lead - that I might check into since food cooks in there for several hours. I am sure that my house is has lead paint. I am more concerned about the kids getting other germs from licking the walls....... NO! They don't really lick the walls (I don't think).
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
What was your best and worst Christmas gift?
I would have to say my best gift was MICAYLA since she was born just before Christmas.
My worset gift?? A canned ham...it looked gross!
I know my mom's worest gift was HUBCAPS - yes Hubcaps from my dad. He's never been able to live that one down.
My worset gift?? A canned ham...it looked gross!
I know my mom's worest gift was HUBCAPS - yes Hubcaps from my dad. He's never been able to live that one down.
Bzz Agent
I got an awesome product from Bzz Agent! It's the Sonicare Flexcare Toothbrush. It's electric and it has a built in UV Sanitizer to kill germs. The retail price is $180 - I got it FREE!!
What the HECK are you doing?
OK so I decided to change my blog! I promise to be better about updating it and posting.
Like everybody else I am so crazy at this time of year. Parties, SHOPPING!, eating, wrapping, cleaning.... you know the drill.
Places we have been for parties:
Maddox, Perry-Utah --- My favorite place to eat steak!
Biaggis, SLC-Utah -- Not that great
The Mandarin, Bountiful - Utah - YUM-O
I am pretty much done Christmas shopping. I have a few gifts that I have been making, to finish. I have to wrap EVERYTHING, deliver gifts to the neighbors. My sister knows how much I love to shop. She lives in Kansas and she sent me money to finish her shopping for people here in Utah.
Oh yeah - I have to have a birthday too.....
I love this time of year.!!
Like everybody else I am so crazy at this time of year. Parties, SHOPPING!, eating, wrapping, cleaning.... you know the drill.
Places we have been for parties:
Maddox, Perry-Utah --- My favorite place to eat steak!
Biaggis, SLC-Utah -- Not that great
The Mandarin, Bountiful - Utah - YUM-O
I am pretty much done Christmas shopping. I have a few gifts that I have been making, to finish. I have to wrap EVERYTHING, deliver gifts to the neighbors. My sister knows how much I love to shop. She lives in Kansas and she sent me money to finish her shopping for people here in Utah.
Oh yeah - I have to have a birthday too.....
I love this time of year.!!
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